Fatal NTSB investigations
180,641 investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board since 1962: 174,620 accidents, the rest incidents and other occurrences. Each has NTSB’s narrative and, once the investigation is done, its probable cause; since 2008, its findings and sequence of events.
Cases, newest first
Query with SQL
duckdb -csv -c "SELECT c.\"ntsbNumber\", c.\"eventDate\", c.\"eventType\", c.\"eventCity\", c.\"eventStateOrRegion\", a.n_number, a.\"aircraftMake\", a.\"aircraftModel\", c.\"highestInjuryLevel\", c.\"totalFatal\", c.\"completionStatus\", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c.\"mKey\" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c.\"highestInjuryLevel\" = 'Fatal' ORDER BY c.\"eventDate\" DESC, c.\"ntsbNumber\" DESC"
Prints the whole list as CSV. It reads the release’s Parquet files over HTTPS, so there’s nothing to download first. Install DuckDB to run it.
SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."highestInjuryLevel" = 'Fatal' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC
Run it at the DuckDB prompt, or in any tool that reads Parquet over HTTPS. More ways to query the release are on Use the data.
NTSB NYC07FA119Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech BE-A55 · Dunkirk, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during a single-engine missed approach, after the failure of the airplane's left engine aft-top counterweight assembly. Contributing to the accident were instrument meteorological conditions due to clouds.NTSB MIA07FA098Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportHughes 369A · Moulton, ALThe separation of a main rotor blade from its tension torsion bar for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX07LA168Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSchweizer G-164B · Colusa, CAThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from wires.NTSB LAX07LA167Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportSheely Rans S-12XL · Pinetop, AZthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB DFW07WA113Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna A188B · San Francisco, HondurasNTSB SEA07FA119Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182C · Marion, MTThe pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering to reverse direction. Factors included the airplane exceeding its maximum gross takeoff weight, the improper preflight by the pilot by not securing an oil cap, the low altitude, and an…NTSB LAX07LA163Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-25-235 · Delta, UTthe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.NTSB LAX07FA160Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportDiamond Aircraft Industries DA 40 · Lake Pleasant, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain sufficient altitude above the surface of water during an intentional buzzing maneuver. Contributing to the accident was the nighttime lighting environment.NTSB DFW07WA110Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationBell 47G · Ciudad Victoria, MexicoNTSB CHI07FA140Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Sharonville, OHThe inadequate visual lookout of the pilots in both airplanes and their not maintaining clearance from each others airplane during climb.NTSB LAX07LA156Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTeague Rans S-6ES Coyote II · Nyssa, ORLoss of aircraft control while maneuvering for undetermined reasons.NTSB SEA07FA124Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna P210N · Spanish Fork, UTAn engine oil line leak and subsequent engine compartment fire while in cruise flight.NTSB MIA07LA091Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLee Stevens Sorrell SNS-2 Guppy · Stewartstown, PAThe pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the airplane.NTSB DCA07RA040Accident · 114 fatalForeign investigationBoeing B737-800 · Douala, CameroonNTSB ATL07FA083Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Asheville, NCThe failure of the directional gyro and attitude indicator due to a vacuum system leak caused by a loose fitting. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to execute a partial panel, no-gyro approach.NTSB ANC07FA037Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 170 · Wasilla, AKA total loss of engine power during takeoff initial climb due to fuel contamination, and the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.NTSB LAX07FA150Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna S550 · Dillon, MTAn in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons.NTSB DFW07LA103Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportLivpt Lancair IV-P · McAllen, TXA loss of power for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the forced landing.NTSB DFW07LA102Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWalker Zenith Zodiac 601 XL · Canadian, TXThe pilot's improper pre-flight planning and decision to depart into deteriorating weather conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent in-flight break up.NTSB LAX07LA147Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCeridono Vegas Sport Flyer · Mountain Pass, CAThe loss of airplane control while maneuvering after takeoff for an undetermined reason.NTSB LAX07LA142Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMcDonald J4B-2 · Marysville, CAAn in-flight loss of control for undetermined reasons. Contributing to the accident was the impairment of the pilot by the drug substances identified in the toxicological testing.NTSB LAX07LA140Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Carlsbad, CAthe pilot's loss of control due to spatial disorientation.NTSB DEN07FA089Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportSchleicher Alexander ASH 26E · Castle Rock, COthe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an inadvertent stall/mush.NTSB DFW07WA100Accident · 1 fatalForeign investigationCessna 210 · Palma Real, HondurasNTSB ATL07FA081Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-38-112 · Dawsonville, GAThe pilot’s improper decision to continue visual flight rules flight into instrument meteorological conditions, with a low cloud ceiling, over mountainous terrain.NTSB SEA07GA112Accident · 1 fatalFinal reportCessna 182R · Rachal, TXThe pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent impact with the ground. A factor was the gusty tailwind condition.NTSB MIA07WA159Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationBritten-Norman BN2A Islander · Kopinang, GuyanaNTSB CHI07LA115Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBird Seawind 3000 · Knox City, MOThe loss of engine power for an undetermined reason. Contributing to the accident was the unsuitable terrain that was encountered by the pilot during the forced landing.NTSB CHI07FA114Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportRobinson Helicopter R44 II · Bass Lake, INThe pilot's failure to maintain a proper approach glidepath, which resulted in a settling-with-power flight condition. Contributing to the accident was the dark night light condition.NTSB NYC07FA100Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Windham, CTThe pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during a go-around.NTSB CHI07LA113Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportMurphy Aircraft Mfg SR3500 Moose · Cotter, ARThe pilot not maintaining airplane control and airspeed during the approach. Factors were the gusty wind conditions, the inadvertent stall the pilot encountered, and the power lines that were impacted during the uncontrolled descent.NTSB ATL07FA077Accident · 5 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 58 · Hamilton, GAThe pilot's exceeding the design stress limits of the airplane while performing aerobatics in a nonaerobatic airplane, which resulted in an in-flight overload failure of the airframe. A factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to perform aerobatics.NTSB MIA07LA084Accident · 5 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-23-250 · Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Ocean)The pilot's continued visual flight rules flight into known adverse weather conditions, resulting in an in-flight loss of aircraft control. Contributing to the accident were thunderstorms.NTSB MIA07FA083Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 182Q · Cudjoe Key, FLThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance from an active restricted area, which resulted in the airplane colliding with the tether of an aerostat.NTSB DFW07WA094Accident · 2 fatalForeign investigationBell 206 · Changuinola, PanamaNTSB NYC07LA098Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportGrumman American AA-5B · Danville, VAThe passenger's inadvertent interference with the flight controls due to his physiological condition. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inability to maintain aircraft control.NTSB MIA07LA081Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCessna U206G · Welaka, FLThe pilot's continued visual flight into instrument meteorological conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from utility poles. Contributing to the accident were the fog and haze.NTSB SEA07FA106Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-140 · Tehachapi, CAThe pilot's VFR flight into IMC and his ensuing failure to maintain terrain clearance. Contributing factors were the cloudy weather conditions and the mountainous terrain.NTSB NYC07FA096Accident · 1 fatalField investigationFinal reportBeech 95-B55 · Saranac Lake, NYThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during initial climb after takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall.NTSB MIA07LA077Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportTerrence A. Sack Terrair Express · Lakeland, FLThe failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed while turning base to final which led to a stall. A contributing factor in the accident was the pilot's lack of recent experience.NTSB CHI07LA104Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-22-108 · Ava, MOThe failure of the aileron cable eye splice during cruise flight. Contributing to the accident were improper installation and service of the crimped cable sleeve, which rendered the airplane uncontrollable.NTSB LAX07LA130Accident · 3 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportBeech 35-B33 · Sedona, AZThe pilot's inadequate compensation for the high wind conditions and wind shear encounter on final approach, that led to a failure to maintain an adequate airspeed and a stall.NTSB NYC07LA094Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportRomeo Lancair Legacy RG · Fulton, NYA loss of engine power during the initial climb after takeoff for undetermined reasons.NTSB CHI07FA102Accident · 3 fatalField investigationFinal reportPiper PA-28-180 · Viburnum, MOThe pilot's loss of aircraft control during cruise flight in instrument meteorological conditions. Factors contributing to the accident were turbulence and icing conditions.NTSB LAX07LA126Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportArbc 150A · Mecca, CAThe pilot's decision to fly in forecasted unfavorable wind conditions that exceeded the balloon's capabilities.NTSB ATL07LA073Accident · 1 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportCulver, Aurther L. Seawind 3000 · Yanceyville, NCThe pilot's failure to maintain clearance/altitude while operating in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of an instrument rating, his improper decision to operate in IMC, a low cloud ceiling, and…NTSB MIA07LA073Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportPiper PA-46-310P · Bird Cay, BahamasThe pilot's poor in-flight weather evaluation, which resulted in flight into a level 6 thunderstorm.NTSB LAX07FA123Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportCessna 172N · Page, AZThe pilot's failure to maintain an adequate terrain clearance altitude, and, his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to reverse course in a box canyon. Contributing to the accident were the rising terrain and the box canyon.NTSB CHI07WA099Accident · 3 fatalForeign investigationPiper PA-28R-201T · Oban, Scotland, United KingdomNTSB CHI07LA098Accident · 2 fatalLimited investigationFinal reportWakewood Lancair O-200 · Scottsbluff, NEThe pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed which resulted in a stall. Contributing to the accident were the low altitude at which the airplane was operating and the gusty wind conditions.